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Chemistry Forums for Students => High School Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: freswood on May 03, 2007, 09:42:46 PM

Title: Sulfuric acid reaction
Post by: freswood on May 03, 2007, 09:42:46 PM
When you mix sulfuric acid with barium chloride, the mixture becomes milky and white. I assume this is the formation of barium sulfate, but what are the other products?
Title: Re: Sulfuric acid reaction
Post by: Bakegaku on May 03, 2007, 09:49:32 PM
You're left with a mixture of hydrogen and chlorine ions. Keep in mind Sulphuric acid is a stronger acid than hydrochloric acid.
Title: Re: Sulfuric acid reaction
Post by: freswood on May 03, 2007, 09:54:48 PM
So is the equation:

H2SO4(aq) + BaCl2(aq) --> BaSO4(s) + 2H+(aq) + 2Cl-(aq)

Why doesn't this form HCl?
Title: Re: Sulfuric acid reaction
Post by: Bakegaku on May 03, 2007, 10:03:37 PM
It does, because HCl has a 100% dissociation rate.  Just like with salt, where a solution of NaCl is a collection of Na and Cl ions, a solution of HCl is a collection of H and Cl ions.  It wouldn't be inaccurate to say HCl(aq) in place of the ions.
Title: Re: Sulfuric acid reaction
Post by: freswood on May 03, 2007, 10:08:28 PM
Thank you for your help  :)
Title: Re: Sulfuric acid reaction
Post by: Borek on May 04, 2007, 03:34:20 AM
Quote from: freswood on May 03, 2007, 09:54:48 PM
H2SO4(aq) + BaCl2(aq) --> BaSO4(s) + 2H+(aq) + 2Cl-(aq)

To be consistent you should either use ions OR (aq) on both sides, not mix them in one equation.